CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
September 10, 2012
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 10th day of September, 2012 at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President presiding Mr. Gene I. Daigle. Members present were Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe, Vice-President, Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque, and Mr. James Higginbotham.
2) Mr. Israel Syria led the prayer.
3) Mr. Douglas LaCombe led the pledge of allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
No Changes.
5) Read and approve minutes of the August 6, 2012 board meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the August 6, 2012 board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the August 6, 2012 board meeting minutes were approved.
1) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding policy changes as the result of legislation.
Mrs. Baggett presented policy changes to policies BH, CBI, and GBL which includes changes in school board ethics, evaluation of the Superintendent and tenure. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved BH, CBI and GBL policy changes as a result of legislation.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Receive 2012 enrollment count.
Ellan Baggett presented enrollment counts for the current year showing growth for the fourth consecutive year. Official enrollment counts for 2012-2013 will be taken in October.
2) Consider advertising for the purchase of used special education buses.
Mr. Leonards requested bids to be taken for the purchase of two used special education buses which would be due by October 8, 2012. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids to purchase two used special education buses.
3) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding renewal of excess workers compensation policy.
Mr. Leonards presented renewal quotes for our excess workers compensation policy. He recommended staying with New York Marine, with a premium of $101,918. The committee discussed this matter briefly with a favorable recommendation to the full board. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of excess workers compensation policy with New York Marine with a premium of $101,918.
4) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding change in job description for counselors, librarians, and assistant principals.
The committee reviewed revisions to the job description for counselors, librarians, and assistant principals. The changes removed former state requirements and added new requirements as the result of legislation. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved changes in job description for counselors, librarians, and assistant principals.
5) Consider approval of bus lease/purchase agreement with Municipal Capital Markets.
Mr. Leonards provided information regarding the lease with Municipal Capital Markets for the lease/purchase of nine new buses. Mr. Caswell has reviewed the documents and approved them on behalf of the school board. Principal amount of $677,832 will be paid out in monthly installments over the next ten years. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bus lease/purchase agreement with Municipal Capital Markets in the principal amount of $677,832 to be paid out in monthly installments over the next ten years.
6) Consider request from Kermit Allen for zoning variance on residential property near Crowley Kindergarten.
Mr. Leonards presented the request from Mr. Allen for zoning variance on residential property near Crowley Kindergarten. Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board agreed that if Mr. Allen acquires all of the necessary signatures then the board will agree to the zoning variance.
7) Consider going into executive session to discuss pending workers compensation litigation.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going into executive session to discuss pending workers compensation litigation at 5:25 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going back into regular session at 5:32 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the recommendation of Mr. Caswell regarding this matter.
8) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, committee meetings will be on September 19, 2012 and the board meeting will be October 1, 2012.
9) Correspondence.
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS: NONE
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, consent items 1 and 2 were approved to be taken in globo.
1) Consider retirement notification of employees.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved.
2) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed a year to date increase of 1.03%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commented on the positive start of the school year, increase in enrollment and common core.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
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Gene I. Daigle, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent